BEACH
PARTY (1964)Director: William Asher
MGM
BEACH
PARTY (1964)Many have questioned MGM's inclusion of the American International Pictures (AIP) beach movies in their Midnite Movies series, but I believe that these films hold an important place in drive-in movie history… and anyone who says otherwise is itchin' for a fight.
Beach Party (written by Lou Rusoff and directed by William Asher) is the first of seven AIP beach films, followed by MUSCLE BEACH PARTY, BIKINI BEACH, PAJAMA PARTY, BEACH BLANKET BINGO, HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI, and THE GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI. All are available in MGM's Midnite Movies series except MUSCLE BEACH PARTY and THE GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI (Hey MGM, what's up with that?)
The plot of BEACH PARTY sets the tone for the rest of the series where the gang, a clean cut bunch of surf and rock 'n roll loving teenagers led by Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, hangs out at the beach unsupervised by parents. The few adults in the pictures create the foils for the gang. In this installment, Bob Cummings plays Professor Robert O. Sutwell, a social anthropologist who is studying the teenagers for a book that he intends to write on their wild behavior patterns and preoccupation with sex.
Most of the plot involves Frankie's tiff with Delores (Annette) over her inviting the rest of the gang to the beach house for the summer (Frankie had planned on a little… seclusion). Delores gets a crush on the Professor who is having a slight Lolita problem after studying the kids. Frankie, in an attempt to make Delores jealous, starts making time with Ava, played by the stunning Marilyn Monroe look-alike Eva Six.
To keep the story moving along, a fun subplot is introduced (and used in many of the beach sequels) involving the Rats and Mice (they're guys and chicks) motorcycle gang led by the schlemiel character Eric Von Zipper, played superbly by Harvey Lembeck. Von Zipper and his "Army" take on the Professor and the gang but are foiled by the Professor's ability to put Von Zipper in a Himalayan Time Suspension by pressing his index finger into Von Zipper's temple. The Rats and Mice are constantly forced to carry their leader out of the room after he becomes frozen like a statue by this technique.
Other notable characters include Deadhead, also known as Goo Goo -- played by Jody McCrea, the amazing Candy Johnson as herself -- the world's fastest twist dancer, John Ashley as Ken -- known as Johnny in the rest of the series, and Morey Amsterdam as Cappy -- owner of Big Daddy's hep-cat coffeehouse.
The beauty in these films is obviously not the plot. For those not familiar with the series, think dumb plot, corny jokes, and predictable rock 'n roll. But when you watch the beach series it's not the destination that you look forward to but rather the ride itself. Long scenes of kids twisting do little for the plot but are there because the mood is more important than the plot. The vibrant Technicolor beach world of the gang creates a parentless shangri-la that we all wish we had had as kids.
The beauty of the series also lies in both its continuity and paradoxically lack of continuity. Characters change names from movie to movie yet are basically the same characters in similar situations. Cameo appearances by famous old film stars add to the surreal nature of the films. Also, lots of AIP inside jokes abound. In BEACH PARTY, Vincent Price as Big Daddy hangs out, sleeping at the coffeehouse (unrecognizable because of a large sombrero) until almost the last scene. The gang is awaiting "the word" from Big Daddy, which is assumed to be delivered after he awakens. When he finally does… well, you need to watch the flick!
Most critics comment on the forgettable rock 'n roll tunes in BEACH PARTY and the rest of the series. Actually, some of the tunes are quite good, even if at times delivered by the somewhat wooden style of Annette and Frankie. Dick Dale and the Del Tones provide some killer songs here. It's great to see Dale as a young man just tearing up these songs. The Les Baxter score is a treasure. Those familiar with Baxter's lounge days know how talented he is at orchestrating the simple melody line, and this score is no exception. The dancing is the most! Let's see you try to twist that fast smart-guy!
The source material is impeccable and BEACH PARTY is a stunner both visually and aurally (great big fat mono sound here). Everything is crystal clear and both widescreen letterboxed (anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1) and full screen versions. Extras include an excellent theatrical trailer as well as Spanish/French subtitles, and Close Captioning.
Once you get into the spirit of things, BEACH PARTY and the rest of the AIP beach series is a real howl! I find a martini helps… that's gin, vermouth, and a big damn olive -- and only gin, vermouth and a big damn olive (thanks Etiquette Grrls!). Lastly, this reviewer would like to reiterate, "Hey MGM, how about MUSCLE BEACH PARTY, THE GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI, and SKI PARTY?" To those still squakin' because MGM released the beach series before classics like THE HAUNTED PALACE… lighten' up Poindexter! (Scott Morschhauser)